IT8 Calibration - Problems with Scanned Images

[Tiffany Wan]

I have a Microtek ArtixScan 1800f scanner and after performing an IT8 Calibration with a Kodak Q-60 Color Input Target for the transparency film tray, the final scan results produced extremely dark images that are much darker than even the originals. The pre-scan images look normal however, and the final scans that I did prior to the calibration also look normal. Does anyone know why the images are coming out abnormally dark? I read about the "Gamma correction" values but I'm not using Photoshop at all; I'm simply scanning film transparencies. I tried re-calibrating a least half a dozen times, all with the same results. I also tried different ICM profiles under Options but no matter what the Scanner (Transparency) is set to, the final scan still comes out dark. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I should mention that I downloaded the updated SilverFast version 6.4.5r4b from the Lasersoft website but when I tried the calibration, the IT8 Reference files were missing. I reinstalled the CD version, copied the IT8 Reference files, reinstalled the updated version, and pasted the reference files in the correct folder. These files appear to match the ones available on the website though, so I don't know if this could be contributing to the problem.

[degrub]

set the gamma correction to at least 1.8 , maybe 2.2 or so.

[Tiffany Wan]

Setting the Gamma Gradation to 2.2 still produces the same, unusually dark results. And for some reason the prescan images appear perfectly normal. Are there separate Gamma adjustments for the prescan and the final scan that could be causing this problem?

[degrub]

see if this helps any

http://www.computer-darkroom.com/sf5_contents.htm